Treasure Hunting in Valais

visitvalais.ch / treasure

Hello!
Eight holiday regions in Valais proudly bear the label «Family Destination».
The destinations fulfill Switzerland Tourism criteria for resorts that cater especially
to the needs of families and ensure the sustainability of their
services.
Crans-Montana
Nendaz
Belalp
Grächen
Zermatt
Saas-Fee
Bellwald
Aletsch Arena
You certainly know that the highest mountain in
Switzer land is in Valais. But did you also know that
Valais is described as the water castle of Switzerland?
And for a good reason. About 80 % of Swiss
glaciers lie in Valais. With its 285 meters high, the
biggest gravity dam in the world – the Grande Dixence
– is here too. And into the 20th century, more
than 200 Suonen with a total length of some 1800
kilometers were still in use. What’s a Suone? You can
find out when you read the story about the siblings
Claudia and Stephan who spend their vacation in
Valais.
Like Claudia and Stephan, who find and learn new
things on their little adventure in Valais, you can do
the same on the hikes and treasure hunts that we’ll
introduce you to on the following pages.
Have fun in Valais!
Imprint
This booklet was created jointly by Valais / Wallis Promotion and Künzler
Bachmann Verlag.
The booklet is published as a supplement to FamilienSPICK.
Damian Constantin,
Director of Valais / Wallis Promotion
Publisher:
KünzlerBachmann Verlag AG,
St. Gallen in conjunction with
Valais / Wallis Promotion
Project organisation:
Roger Hartmann
Design / pre-press:
Felicitas Dünnenberger
Christos Karachristos
Editing: Alexander Volz
Photos: ©Valais / Wallis Promotion –
Pascal Gertschen
Illustrations: Christos Karachristos
Copyright:
Any reprinting (in whole or in part)
or electronic reproduction requires
written permission from the publisher.
1

«Claudia! Stephan!» their father calls from the next room.
«Have you filled up your water bottles?»
Again this year the family of four is vacationing in Valais
and staying in a small hotel starting point for their day
trips in the region. Mostly they hike and picnic on the trail.
Of course it’s important to take along enough to drink and
something to eat. After all, Nature is the destination.
Claudia, Stephan and their parents enjoy the majestic
mountains and fresh air. They also like learning about the
world of plants and the native animals. When on a hike,
they often stop for a picnic at a barbecue site at one of the
many playgrounds in the area.
WORD SEARCH:
HOW OFTEN DOES THE
WORD RING APPEAR IN
THE STORY?
«Have you filled your bottles? Can we get going?» their
father calls again after hearing no answer. «Yes!» Claudia
finally answers. «We’re coming. I couldn’t find Grandma’s
ring. That’s what took me so long,» she says. «Do you have
the ring now?» her mother asks. «Yeah. It’s on my finger,»
Claudia replies. Together they leave the hotel, get into the
car and drive off.
«Where are we going today?» asks Stephan. «Today we’re
going to see something really special,» their father says.
«Great. I don’t know much more than I did a minute ago,»
Stephan says and tries again. «Come on. Tell us what’s so
special.»
2
3

«We’re going to look at a few Suonen today,»
explains the mother.
Stephan is still in the dark. «Huh? What’s that?»
«Well, Suonen – historic waterways that are
hundreds of years old. Actually, they are water
canals, or irrigation ditches, that were used
to direct water from the mountain brooks to
meadows or into vineyards. There weren’t fountains
or other sources of water everywhere.
Back then water was precious. The harvest
depended on it. Without water, nothing would
grow,» she says.
«Wow!» Stephan exclaims. «And the Suonen
are still around? Even though we have modern
water pipes and taps everywhere?»
«Yup» says the father. «There are still lots of
them. They are maintained and still used to
take the water to the fields where the plants
need it.»
4 5

After a while they reach the parking lot where
they want to start their hike. They all grab
jackets, backpacks and caps and head off.
When they come to the first Suone, they stare,
fascinated. «There have been Suonen for more
than one thousand years,» the mother says.
Before the hike she had read about the Suonen
and now proudly shows off her newfound
know ledge. Impressed by the mountains and
the Suonen, the family follows the trail to a
playground where they can relax and grill the
sausage they’ve brought along.
While their parents light the fire and get the
food ready, Claudia and Stephan go to the
little brook that runs along the edge of the
playground. They take off their shoes and step
into the ankle-deep water.
6 7

«Ahhh. That feels good!» says Stephan, a broad
smile on his face. Claudia happily plunges her
feet into the cool water too. She picks up little
stones lying at the bottom of the brook and
admires their different colors in the daylight.
All of a sudden Claudia shouts, «Oh no! I don’t
believe it!»
«What’s the matter?» Stephan asks as he
watches his sister stirring up the waters with
her hands. «I think I lost Grandma’s ring. I just
had it and now it’s gone.» «Wait a sec. I’ll help
you,» Stephan says and, like Claudia, he begins
searching the water for the ring.
«What are you looking for?» a young girl asks
Claudia.
8
9

Claudia looks up briefly and tells her, «I lost my
ring.»
«Oh. A ring. That’ll be tough to find in the
water,» she says and smiles at Claudia. «Can I
help? We can find it if we work together.»
«Thanks. That’d be great,» says Claudia. «I’m
Claudia and that’s my brother Stephan.»
«I’m Lara,» says the girl as she joins them to
look for the lost piece of jewelry.
The three of them search the brook, lifting
stones they think the ring could have slipped
under. While they search, Stephan asks Lara,
«Are you from here?»
«Yeah, I live close by. And you?»
«We’re here on vacation,» says Stephan.
At that moment Lara raises her fist over her
head. «I’ve got it! I found the ring!»
Then she opens her fist and shows the ring to
Claudia.
«Fantastic!» says Claudia, who takes the ring
and happily slips it onto her finger.
10 11

«Hey! Want to play tag with me?» Lara asks.
«Sure!» says Stephan. They play together and talk about all
sorts of things – about the mountains, the animals they’ve
seen and the brightly colored wildflowers.
Claudia and Stephan tell Lara what they learned about the
Suonen.
They are having so much fun that Claudia and Stephan
almost forget that their parents are waiting for them with
the picnic. Then they hear their mother calling, «Would you
please come to eat?»
«Just a minute,» Stephan calls back and then turns to Lara.
«Are you hungry too? I’m sure there’s plenty for everyone.»
Together they go to the barbecue site, happy about the
recovered ring, a new friendship and lunch.
The Treasure Hunt
Would you like to go on a treasure hunt or maybe even
more than one? Yes? Great! It’s all pretty easy. Take a look
at the map on the following pages and follow along. That’s
how you can find the treasures on the map. If you like, take
a photo of yourselves on the hunt and post it on Facebook
or Instagram with the hashtag #TreasureValais.
12
13

Find the 10 differences.
Jokes.
«Why are you crying?» the mother asked her child.
«Dad banged his finger with the hammer.»
«But you don’t have to cry over that!» she said.
«Ha! First I laughed!»
Find the way to the fish.
The proud father was bragging
to guests about how great his
one-year-old son could already
talk. «Hey champ! Say ‘rhinoceros’!»
The little boy crawled to the
table, pulled himself up on the
edge, looked skeptically at the
group and asked, «To whom?»
The six-year-old Katja
lost two baby teeth at
one time.
She ran to her mother
and exclaimed:
«Mummy! I’ve got a bald
spot in my mouth!»
Kevin said to his teacher: «Should someone be punished for
something he hasn’t done?»
Teacher:«Of course not, Kevin. That would be really unfair.»
Kevin: «Good. I haven’t done my homework.»
Solutions:
Two boys standing in front of
City Hall look at a bridal
couple with interest.
«Listen,» said one, «you wanna
scare those two?»
«Sure,» said the other, ran to
the groom and called:
«Hi, Dad!»
A dog walks into a job
center. «Wow, a talking
dog,» says the clerk. «With
your talent I’m sure we can
find you a gig in the circus.»
«The circus?» says the dog.
«What does a circus want
with a plumber?»
The father was reading a fairy tale aloud so his son would
fall asleep. Thirty minutes later the mother quietly opened
the door and whispered: «Is he finally asleep?»
The son answered: «Yeah, finally. . . »
14
15

Here’s how it works:
For your treasure, simply solve the eight puzzles
on a hike and write the answers in the boxes. The
red-framed boxes are important.
· A number you see in a red box will have to be used
later.
· Convert each letter in a red box into a number.
Like this:
A = 1
B = 2
E = 3
N = 4
I = 5
L = 6
O = 7
S = 8
T = 9
R = 0
On each treasure map you will find the location of the
treasure chest. You can open it with the help of the
eight numbers, which you have to enter in the correct
order. Have a good time on the treasure hunt!
Other treasure maps are
available in tourist offices.
16
17

Aletsch
Arena
This way to the treasure
1
8
7
Gletschi
Legend
Stations
Highest point: 1110 meters
above sea level
Lowest point: 1049 meters
above sea level
Tourist Office
Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 12 pm,
1:30 – 5:30 pm
15 June – 19 October,
Sat. 9 am – 12:30 pm,
1 – 4 pm
Sun. Closed
Treasure chest
(in the Tourist Office)
Distance and Time
5.8 km / 1.5 – 2 hours
Gletschi’s Tips
On this hike you can get a close look at
some animals. Follow the sounds and
fairy tale theme trails and have some
fun at a playground. Of course, on the
treasure hunt you’ll have to answer
some questions.
Station 1: Do you know all about marmots?
What do you think – how much
does one of these cute animals weigh?
Answer: – kg
Station 2: Now it’s time to count: How
many wooden chimes play here in the
wind?
Answer:
Station 3: How well do you know noises?
Which «wet» sound is made in the pipe?
Answer:
T H E
6
Station 4: Are you standing in front of a
white house? What’s written on it?
Answer: Döttinger ...
2
5
Station 5: This dwarf is a keeper of keys.
How many keys does he have on his key
ring?
3
4
Answer:
Station 6: Patron saints help out in
difficult situations. What’s the name of
the patron saint in this little house?
Answer:
Aletsch Arena AG
Furkastrasse 39
3983 Mörel
Phone +41 27 928 58 58
www.aletscharena.ch
info@aletscharena.ch
Family Destination Aletsch Arena – Every day you can go
swimming in a crystal-clear mountain lake, snack on blueberries
or watch marmots. The action-packed program with fun
and games for children includes picking your own alpine
herbs and making an ointment, playing with four-legged
friends in the zoo and so much more. Gletschi, the glacier
flea and the hero of the Great Aletsch Glacier, goes along
with guests large and small on all their adventures.
The Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, is also
the highlight of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.
Station 7: You’ll often see this typical
house construction in Valais. How many
stilts support this wooden house?
Answer:
Station 8: This dwarf really likes music.
Which instrument is he carrying?
Answer:
Code for Aletsch Arena:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
18 19
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

Bellwald
This way to the treasure
Waldi & Bella
5
7
4
8
3
Legend
Stations
Highest point: 1618 meters
above sea level
Lowest point: 1549 meters
above sea level
Tourist Office
Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 12 pm
1:30 – 5 p.m.
Sat. 8:30 am – 12 pm
Sun. closed
Treasure Chest
Distance and Time
1.5 km / 30 minutes
1
2
Treasure Hunt
On this hike you can see houses that
people lived in a long time ago. Don’t
worry – you’ll still have plenty of time to
have some fun at the playgrounds.
Station 1: Look way at the top of the
signpost. What is the altitude of the
sports fields?
Answer:
Station 2: Which animal is resting on
the sign?
Answer:
Station 3: How many holes does the
mini-golf course have?
Answer:
Station 4: Do you see the gate that
leads to the sports and leisure facilities?
What is the name of the place?
Answer:
Station 5: Water fountains have been in
Bellwald for a long time. This one is
newer. From which year is this fountain?
Answer:
6
Station 6: What hangs on this building
at a slant over the name «Spicher»?
Answer:
Station 7: Who is the famous Englishman
after whom this chalet is named?
Answer:
Bellwald Tourismus
3997 Bellwald
Phone +41 27 971 16 84
www.bellwald.ch
info@bellwald.ch
Family Destination Bellwald – In Bellwald
you can quickly get an idea of what life was
like in earlier times. The car-free village
center features the wooden buildings unique
to Valais and so many fountains concentrated
in such a small space that you can imagine
how important the water supply was for daily
life way back then. Family-friendly Bellwald
offers activities for the whole family. There’s
lots for you to discover here and plenty of
places to play.
Station 8: Which animals can you ride
in this play area?
Answer:
and
Code for Bellwald:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
20
21
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

Blatten-Belalp
This way to the treasure
1
2
Legend
Stations
Highest point:
Belalp 2094 meters above
sea level
Lowest point:
Blatten 1327 meters above
sea level
Tourist Office
Mon. – Sun. 7:15 am – 7:45 pm
Treasure Chest
Distance and Time
6.5 km / 3 hrs.
Treasure Hunt
On this hike in Blatten-Belalp you can
experience Nature’s diversity and check
out the home of the little witch Vero.
Station 1: Information about a historic period
is on the blackboard. Which time is it?
Answer:
Station 2: What oversized flying device
stands on the cliff, ready for take-off?
Answer:
’
3
4
5
Station 3: What slips along the foot of
the peak and forces itself under bridges?
Answer:
Station 4: Which animals hatch in this
pond and later put on really loud concerts?
Answer:
Station 5: The signposts help you to
stay on track. What color is the lowest
signpost?
6
Answer:
Station 6: Which saint lives in the little
house and helps finding lost things?
Answer:
Sankt ...
Vero
Station 7: According to the signpost, how
long does it take to walk from here to
Blatten?
Blatten Belalp Tourismus
Rischinustrasse 5
3914 Blatten bei Naters
Phone +41 27 921 60 40
www.belalp.ch
tourismus@belalp.ch
Family Destination Blatten-Belalp – The Blatten-
Belalp region is part of the UNESCO World
Natural Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.
The unique charm of this vacation spot lies in the
magnificence of the Great Aletsch Glacier and
the residents’ thoughtful preservation of customs
and traditions. Besides the variety of summer
activities and snow-sure winter sports, the area
has invested heavily in a family-friendly infrastructure
in recent years. In summer and winter
visitors of all ages will be enchanted by the
witches’ world of Belalp.
7
8
Answer:
minutes
Station 8: What is hanging in a row way up
high in the hodgepodge on the side of the
building? Answer:
Code for Belalp:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
22 23
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

SiSu
Grächen
This way to the treasure
8
7
1
2
6
3
4
5
Legend
Stations
Highest point:
1790 meters above sea
level
Lowest point:
1700 meters above sea
level
Tourist Office
Opening hours at:
www.graechen.ch/
openingtimes
Treasure Chest
Distance and Time
3 km / 3 hrs.
Treasure Hunt
On this hike you can see how local
residents steered the water on the right
course a long time ago.
Station 1: Something is written on the
entrance. What word do the first six
letters spell?
Answer: *
Station 2: For more than 1000 years the
water has been directed over irrigation
canals. What is the wood called that
diverts the water?
Answer:
Station 3: What should you raise above
your head in the last exercise?
Answer:
Station 4: What can the magic water do
with the help of singing bowls?
Answer:
Station 5: Where do your feet land when
you sit here?
Answer:
Water ...
*
Station 6: What is the rock lounger
made of?
Answer:
Station 7: What’s playfully shown here
was once an important source of power.
What’s turning here?
Answer:
Water ...
Touristische Unternehmung Grächen AG
Dorfplatz, 3925 Grächen
Phone +41 27 955 60 60
www.graechen.ch, info@graechen.ch
Family Destination Grächen – Fabulous and worth the
trip at any time of the year. Offers Zauberwasser «Magic
Waters» Suonen adventures, children’s parks, one-of-akind
fairy tale gondola, Ravensburg Game Path, wild
animal watch, a chance to play Indians.
In the winter visitors of all ages can enjoy the snow at
four parks or spend some time in the indoor play
paradise at the mountain family restaurant Hannigalp.
Station 8: In the Kneipp treatment, what
do you tread with your feet?
Answer:
Code for Grächen:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
* The answer is a german word!
24 25
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

Nendaz
This way to the treasure
Legend
Stations
Highest point:
2228 meters above sea level
Lowest point:
1733 meters above sea level
Tourist Office
Mon. – Fri. 9 am – 12 pm
2 – 6 p.m.
Sat. 9 am – 12:30 pm
1:30 – 5:30 pm
Sun. 9 am – 2 pm
Treasure chest
(in the Tourist Office)
Treasure Hunt
The treasure hunt gets off to a spectacular
start in the chairlift. Once you’ve reached
the top, you’ll have a breathtaking view.
Station 1: At what altitude is the summit
station?
Answer:
meters
Station 2: What geometric shape does
the highest sign on the signpost have?
Answer:
5
Chairlift in operation from
July to September
Station 3: Which town appears at the top
of the signpost?
4
3
2
Distance and Time
9.8 km / 4 hrs.
Station 4: Now look up. What is the
number on the yellow sign atop the
cableway tower?
Answer:
1
7
Station 5: What meanders through the
Japanese Garden? Answer:
6
8
Station 6: You’ll find this answer on the
signpost. How much time does it take to
hike from here to Ouché ?
Answer:
minutes
Station 7: What is the base of the waterwheel
made of?
Answer:
Family Destination Nendaz – Nendaz is an ideal
vacation spot for families all year-round. Offering
a large number of activities, including snow tubing,
sledding, arts & crafts, archery, rock climbing, Alp
visits, mountain biking, treasure hunts. Practical
services such as day care center, toy library, babysitting,
children’s boutique.
Station 8: What is the large concrete wall
that you can see in the distance?
Answer:
Code for Nendaz:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Nendaz Tourisme
Route de la Télécabine 1
1997 Nendaz
Phone +41 27 289 55 89
www.nendaz.ch, info@nendaz.ch
And a very special experience: a walk along the
Suonen trails – an easy stroll along the babbling
water canals of Nendaz. Altogether 98 kilometers
long.
26 27
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

Saas-Fee
This way to the treasure
Legend
Stations
Highest point:
1858 meters above sea level
Lowest point:
1748 meters above sea level
Tourist Office
Mon. – Sat. 8:30 am – 12 pm
2 – 6 pm
Sun. 9 am – 12 pm
3:30 – 6 pm
A Few Tips
On this hike you’re invited to join in.
You can tread water, balance on logs
and climb up a hanging ladder.
Of course there is lots more to discover
in this beautiful place.
Station 1: The elements of Nature have a
great deal of power. Which element is put
to work here?
Answer:
7
Treasure Chest
Distance
4 km / 2 – 2.5 hrs.
Station 2: Get over the water with dry
feet. What year is on the top of the bridge
stone?
Answer:
6
8
Station 3: It might be a bit wobbly here.
How many steps does the suspension rope
bridge have?
Answer:
5
4
1
2
Station 4: Read the saying on the metal
plaque on the bench. According to it,
what is human? Answer:
Station 5: A well-known type of wellness
treatment is named after this man. What
is the name of the health-conscious pioneer
of water treading?
Answer:
N L L
*
3
Station 6: It turns and turns. What makes
the wheel move?
Answer:
Saastal Tourismus AG
Obere Dorfstrasse 2
3906 Saas-Fee
Phone +41 27 958 18 58
www.saas-fee.ch
support@saas-fee.ch
The Family Destination Saas-Fee offers much more than four
mountain villages and 360 kilometers of hiking trails for
everyone. With several family-friendly outdoor activities like rock
climbing, monster scooter driving and the rope park «Abenteuerwald»,
the Free Republic of Holidays Saas-Fee is one big alpine
outdoor playground. Family events such as the Klapperlapapp
festival in Saas-Fee and Swiss Glacier World, the children’s play
area on the Mittelallalin at 3,500 meters above sea level, round
out the offerings for our young guests. Awaiting you in the Saas
Valley, surrounded by 18 4,000-meter peaks, are the cutest
entertainers of the world, our tame marmots. If you’re looking for
a real (hair-raising) adventure, you can cross the Gorge Alpine
with ropes, swaying rope bridges and a chairlift in the company
of a mountain guide.
Station 7: The glacier has been here since
the Ice Age and with any luck, it’ll be here
for a lot longer. What is its name?
Answer:
Station 8: On the commemorative plaque
(bust/head) you’ll find a date. Which year
is it?
Answer:
Code for Saas-Fee:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
* The answer is a german word!
28 29
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

Zermatt
This way to the treasure
Wolli
®
Legend
Stations
Highest point: 1725 meters above sea level
Lowest point: 1595 meters above sea level
Tourist Office
Mon. – Sun. 8 am – 8 pm
Treasure chest (in the Tourist Office)
Distance and Time 6 km / 2 hrs.
2
Wolli’s Tips
On this hike you can discover so many
things and stare in wonder at the magnificent
views. You’ll get to know Zermatt
from a totally different side. The mountains
are the water towers of the world and the
region is home to the famous Matterhorn
and 37 other 4000-meter peaks. Water in
all its forms will be with you along the way.
Station 1: Do you know the mascot of
Zermatt already? How many letters are
there in his name?
Answer:
5
4
1
Station 2: When fire breaks out, the
fire department needs access to water.
What is the number on the hydrant?
Answer:
3
Station 3: Ulrich Inderbinen was the oldest
mountain guide in the world.
a) How many times did he climb the
Matterhorn?
b) In which year did he last climb the
Matterhorn? Answers:
a) b)
6
8
Station 4: Bridges can be made of different
materials. What is this bridge made of?
Answer:
Station 5: Electricity is generated with
water power. In which year was the electric
pump station Z’Mutt constructed?
Answer:
Zermatt Tourismus
Bahnhofplatz 5, 3920 Zermatt
Phone +41 27 966 81 00
www.zermatt.ch, info@zermatt.ch
7
Family Destination Zermatt – Matterhorn – Fun and
adventure or Funventure® for the whole family. Whether
in Wolli’s adventure park at Sunnegga, where children
can romp in and around Leisee lake, or on the theme
paths that have interesting stories to tell. Wherever the
adventurous Blacknose sheep Wolli can be found, children
play the leading role. The daring types find their
way to the via ferrata (fixed-cable climb), test their skills
on the high ropes course or zoom into the valley on a
kickbike. In the winter the ski slopes and toboggan runs
or the natural ice rink offer plenty of family fun.
30 31
Station 6: How many troughs does this
fountain have?
Answer:
Station 7: Spring water is processed
in the Wichje filtration system for the
Zermatt water supply. In which year
was the system built?
Answer:
Station 8: Here you’ll cross the tracks of
the highest open-air cogwheel train in
Europe and Switzerland’s first railway of
this type. What is the railway called?
Answer:
Code for Zermatt:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
How does it work?
Instructions on Page 17

Find the way to the treasure.
Solution:
32

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